Package for radio tubes and the like



Sept. 15, 1936. A 2,054,235

PACKAGE FOR RADIO TUBES 'AND THE LIKE Filed'May 15, 1955 23 v I /a 20 2/l2 /6 A;

a i 5 "+7" 34 H 2 4a l k b7 4 5 Q 5 5/ 3 I bq 6'6 68 Inventor GEORGE F.BA RT Patented Sept. 15, 1936 PACKAGE FOR. RADIO TUBES AND THE LIKEGeorge F. Bart, Long Island City, N. Y.

Application May 13, 1935, Serial No. 21,094

11 Claims. (01.229-39) The present invention relates to a package forradio tubes, incandescent bulbs, and the like, and a carton comprisingthe outer covering of a package. The improvements are designed toprovide ;a holder wherein the packaged object may be firmly protected,yet may be inspected by the purchaser thereof. A primary object, amongothers, is to provide a one-piece outer covering which may bemanufactured and shipped in flattened condition and which may beassembled at the manufacturers plant without the necessity of expensiveassembling machinery.

Another object is to provide means whereby a radio tube may be packagedin such a manner that the purchaser may readily perceive that a tube hasnot been substituted or used to any extent and whereby it maynevertheless be ascertained that the radio tube is in good workingcondition before the purchase is consummated.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby incandescentbulbs or the like may be packaged in such a manner that the purchasermay readily ascertain that a bulb has not been substituted or used toany extent and yet may likewise ascertain that the bulb is in goodworking condition.

A further object of the improvements is to provide a carton within whicha bottle, or other container, or a package may be positioned, the cartoncomprising means for assembling without the necessity for complicatedassembling mechanism, and which cannot be tampered with without leavingevidence of tampering.

A further object of the improvements is to provide a carton suitablyadapted to accommodate fragile articles such as incandescent bulbs,radio tubes and the like, positioned within packing means such asdescribed and claimed in the patent issued to Morris Koppelman, No.1,986,344, on January 1, 1935, whereby reduction in breakage of packagedarticles is accomplished.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvements will beapparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanyingdescription and drawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank forthe outer covering of my improved package or the carton therefor;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of an inner packing or protective sheathhaving a radio tube associated therewith, the sheath being in accordancewith the disclosure of the heretofore mentioned patent to MorrisKoppelman;

,Fig. -3 is-a perspective view of the radio tube and sheath sealedwithin the assembled carton of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a modified form of blank embodying the featuresof my invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the blank of Fig. 4 in partiallyassembled condition; and

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the carton of Fig. 5 showing theassembled tamper-proof sealing means.

In the embodiments illustrated herein the outer covering or carton ofthe package comprises a single sheet of carboard or suitableequivalents, and manufactured from a larger sheet of cardboard in anysuitable blank-forming machinery. Each blank embodies the same genericfeatures, the differences between the blank of Fig. 1 and the blank ofFig. 4 comprising specific elements of which the purposes will presentlyappear.

The blank of Fig. 1 comprises a main panel I0, preferably slightlylonger than the article to be packaged. Contiguous thereto is a sidepanel I I and an opposite side panel I2 to which is attached a fourthpanel I3. Each of the panels I0, I I, I Z and I3 are rectangular and ofthe same dimensions. To the free edge of side panel I I is attached agummed flap I4 by means of which a tubular blank may be formed byadhering theflap I4 to one surface of the free end of panel I3. Othersuitable means may be provided whereby a tubular member, rectangular incross-section, may be formed. Attached to adjacent ends of one of thepanels, in this instance panel Ill, is a'topforming panel I5 having sideflaps I6 and I1 and an extension I8. The top panel I5 is folded to coverthe open end of the tubular blank and the side flaps I6 and I! arepreferably tucked inside the end of the tubular blank without being ad-'hered or otherwise secured thereto, thereby substantially closing theend of the blank and bracing the structure. The extension I8, which mayhave a decorative outline as illustrated, is folded upon the outersurface of the tubular blank. The extension is preferably slightlylonger than one half the length of the panels, thereby extending toslightly beyond the center line of the tubular blank. The opposite endof the same panel is provided with a bottom-forming panel 20, havingside flaps El and 22 which are preferably tucked within the tubularblank as previously described and an extension 23, preferably of thesame shape and dimensions as the extension I8. As seen in Fig. 3, theextensions I8 and 23 will overlap when folded along the surface of thetubular blank opposite to the panel to which the extensions areattached.

'The inner protective sheath, as described and claimed in theaforementioned patent, is preferably formed by a pulp-sucking ormoulding process in suitable machinery well-known to the trade. Thesheath comprises a single blank having a plurality of sections 30, 3|,32 and 33, of

substantially the same length'as the panels of the carton, hinged at 34,35 and 36, whereby the sections may be folded into an open-end tubularsheath with the end edges of the blank meeting be formed of uniplanularmaterial, the width;

of each being greater than the width of a panel of the outer cover,whereby in order to force the sheath into the carton the sides must beinwardly arched. However, it is apparent that the preformed archedsections are best for many reasons. 7

a In packing certain articles the arched sections may be provided withoutwardly protruding, convex portions suitably designed and of suchdimensions as to embrace the surfaces of an article accommodatedtherein, such as a radio tube,'illustrated in Fig. 2. The convexportions 40 embrace the surface of the radio tube and substantiallyprevent longitudinal movement thereof, whereby'the ends of the tube areprevented from knocking against the ends of the outer covering.Likewise, thesections are preferably such that aplane surface acrossadjacent hinges, as from 34 to 35, will pass above the uppermost extentof the interposed convex portion 40 whereby the sides of the enclosedarticle will be prevented from knocking against the side panels of theouter covering.

The sheath is preferably formed of semi-rigid, but neverthelessresilient material. This is particularly true of sheaths manufacturedfrom moulded pulp. It can be seen that pressure upon either end of theenclosed article will move it longitudinally to project beyond thelimits of the sheath. In order that this may be accomplished while thesheath and article are sealed within the outer cover, there is provideda small opening 4| in the top-forming panel l5 and a large opening 42 inthe bottom-forming panel 20. A persons finger may be thrust throughopening 4! to apply pressuretothe top of the radio tube or other articleand to move the radio tube longitudinally toproject the contacts thereofthrough the opening 42.

The outer cover is assembled into, a tubular open-ended blank and theassociated article and inner sheath are slid therein through either end,the corners of the carton embracing the hinges of'the sheath. The topand bottom panels are then folded to cover the ends and the extensionsl8and '23 are overlapped as seen in Fig. 3. Sealing of the'package isaccomplished by the simple operation of driving a single eyelet,staple'or other fastening means 45 through the overlappedends of theextensions, or otherwise unattachably uniting the ends. The cartoncannot be opened to withdraw the article without there being evidence ofthe seal having been tampered with. If desired,the sealing member 45maybe such that it cannot be removed without completely removing theends of the extensions l8 and 23 so, that they no longer overlap. 'Aprospective purchaser may thrust the contacts of a radio tube throughthe bottom opening, which is large enough for that purpose but smallerthan the largest portion of the tube, and the sealed radio tube may beplaced in a testing circuit to determine its condition. The resilientWalls of the sheath normally retain the radio tube within the confinesof the carton and will so retain the radio tube after it has been testedand returned to its normal position.

It is to be appreciated that an incandescent bulb may be tested in asimilar manner. Likewise, the enclosed article may be of some othernature such as. a container having a sealed cap, the sealed cap beingextended through the opening 42 for inspection thereof.

In the modification of Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the objects and advantages ofthe previously described modification are embodied. The blank comprisesa main panel having contiguous panels 5| and 52 of'the same dimension,from which three sides of an open-ended tubular blank may be formed. Inthis instance the fourth side of the tubular blank is provided by apanel 53 fixed to panel 5| and a panel 54 fixed to panel 52, panel 53being placed beneath panel 54 with projections 55, 56 and a lockingtongue 51 preventing the panels from sliding beyond each other. As seenin Fig. 5, the locking tongues 55 and 56 may be placed on top of thepanel 54, while an BX? tended portion of panel 54 will be placed on topof panel 53, thereby interlocking the two panels, the locking beinginsured by turning lockingtongue 5'! upward through a slot 58 in panel53. The ends of the tubular blank are closed by panels 60 and 6|extending from opposite ends of panel 55 provided with bracing flaps 62,63 and 54, 5 5, respectively. The outer ends of the panels are providedwith extensions 66 and 61 similar to panels l8 and 23 of Fig. 1. In thisinstance the extensions are provided'with slots 68 and 59 respectivelywhich register when the extensions are overlapped, as previouslydescribed. The registered slots are so placed as to embrace the upwardlyprojecting locking tongue 57 (Fig. 5). One of the extensions (66) isprovided with a tab 10, adjacent slot 68 and extending toward the edgeof the carton, upon which the locking tongue may be folded, as seen inFig. 6, and thereupon'the cartonmay be sealed by passing a sealingmember 1| through the locking tongue and the tab. The carton cannot beopened without leaving evidence of tampering and does not requireextensive sealing mechanism to achieve this result.

The carton may be provided with openings similar to openings 4| and 42of the previously described form. This form of carton, however, ispreferably to be made in larger sizes to accommodate larger articlessuch as quart bottles and the like. One or more of the panels may beprovided with openings 15 through which a portion of the enclosedarticle may be viewed. The article may be associated with a protectingsheath, as previously described.

I have herewith described and illustrated two embodiments of my presentinvention. It will be apparent from the following claims that the truescope of my invention is not to be determined by the specific detailsdisclosed, but by the breadth and scope of the claims themselves.Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in theart, and I claim such modificatiohs as my invention in so far aspermitted by the statutes and rules applicable thereto.

Iclaim:

1. A carton comprising, a tubular blank, end

closures for said tubular blank attached to opposite edges thereof andadapted to be folded over the open ends to form a substantially completeenclosure, and a sealcomprising extensions of said end closures adaptedto overlap along the outer surface of the carton and means to unite saidextensions to each other and to the blank at their overlapped ends.

2. A carton comprising, a tubular blank comprising attached panels, endclosures for said tubular blank attached to one of said panels andadapted to be folded over the ends of said tubular blank to form asubstantially complete enclosure, and a seal for the carton comprisingan extension of each of said end closures adapted to overlap along theouter surface of the one of said panels opposite the one to which saidend closures are attached and means to unite said extensions to eachother at their overlapped ends, said means comprising a locking tongueprojecting from the surface of the adjacent panel, said extensionshaving registering slots through which said tongue may be passed to forma part of the seal.

3. A carton comprising, a tubular blank comprising attached panels, endclosures for said tubular blank attached to one of said panels andadapted to be folded over the ends of said tubular blank to form asubstantially complete enclosure, and a seal for the carton comprisingan extension of each of said end closures adapted to overlap along theouter surface of the one of said panels opposite the one to which saidend closures are attached and means to unite said extensions to eachother at their overlapped ends, said means comprising a locking tongueprojecting from the surface of the adjacent panel, said extensionshaving registering slots through which said tongue may be passed to forma part of the seal, and a tab projecting from one of said extensions towhich the locking tongue may be united after passing through said slots.

4. A carton comprising, a tubular blank comprising attached panels, endclosures for said tubular blank attached to one of said panels andadapted to be folded over the ends of said tubular blank to form asubstantially complete enclosure, and a seal for the carton comprisingan extention of each of said end closures adapted to overlap along theouter surface of the one of said panels opposite the one to which saidend closures are attached and means to unite said extensions to eachother at their overlapped ends, said means comprising a locking tongueprojecting from the surface of the adjacent panel, said extensionshaving registering slots through which said tongue may be passed to forma part of the seal, and said end closures having side flaps thereonadapted to be tucked into the open ends of the tubular blank.

5. A package for fragile articles having a major dimension and a reducedend, such as radio tubes, comprising a permanently sealed outerenclosure, an inner sheath comprising an open ended tubular blankconsisting of inwardly arched sections embracing the major dimensionedportion of said article, said outer enclosure having an opening throughone end of suflicient size to allow passage of said reduced end of thearticle.

6. A package for fragile articles having a major dimension and a reducedend, such as radio tubes, comprising a permanently sealed outerenclosure, an inner sheath comprising an open ended tubular blankconsisting of inwardly arched sections embracing the major dimensionedportion of said article, said outer enclosure having an opening throughone end of suificient size to allow passage of said reduced end of thearticle, and an opening through its opposite end through which thearticle may be engaged whereby to project the reduced end through saidfirst opening.

'7. A package for fragile articles having a major dimension and areduced end, such as radio tubes, comprising a permanently sealed outerenclosure, an inner sheath comprising an open ended tubular blankconsisting of inwardly arched sections embracing the major dimensionedportion of said article, each of said arched sections being providedwith convex portions shaped to embrace the surface of said article, saidouter enclosure having an opening through one end of sufficient size toallow passage of said reduced end of the article.

8. A package for fragile articles having a major dimension and a reducedend, such as radio tubes, comprising a permanently sealed outerenclosure, an inner sheath comprising an open ended tubular blankconsisting of inwardly arched sections embracing the major dimensionedportion of said article, each of said arched sections being providedwith convex portions shaped to embrace the surface of said article andthe material of said sheath being sufiiciently flexible to permitmovement of said article, said outer enclosure having an opening throughone end of sufficient size to allow passage of said reduced end of thearticle.

9. A package for fragile articles having a major dimension and a reducedend, such as radio tubes, comprising a permanently sealed outerenclosure, an inner sheath comprising an open ended tubular blankconsisting of inwardly arched sections embracing the major dimensionedportion of said article, each of said arched sections being providedwith convex portions shaped to embrace the surface of said article andthe material of said sheath being sufiiciently flexible to permitmovement of said article and sufliciently rigid normally to preventmovement of said article, said outer enclosure having an opening throughone end of suificient side to allow passage of said reduced end of thearticle.

10. A package for fragile articles comprising a sealed carton and aninner sheath therefor, said sheath resiliently embracing an article,said carton having openings at its opposite ends of a size less than themaximum diameter of said article, said carton and sheath beingsubstantially equal in length and longer than said article.

11. A package for fragile articles comprising a sealed carton and aninner sheath therefor, said sheath resiliently embracing an article,said carton having openings at its opposite ends of a size less than themaximum diameter of said article, said carton and sheath beingsubstantially equal in length and longer than said article, said sheathnormally retaining said article against movement but being sufficientlyresilient to permit movement whereby a portion of said article may beprojected through one of said openings.

GEORGE F. BART.

